Mysteries of the Maya

You will be met at the Belize City Airport and embark on a two hour drive across the country to a lodge in the Cayo District of Belize. Enjoy the scenery as it changes from coastal low-lying plains to rainforest-covered mountains. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the lodge. Stay overnight at a rainforest Lodge for the next six nights.

Meals: Dinner

Visit the catacomb-like ruins of Cahal Pech, located just a mile from San Ignacio. This was the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Maya family during the classic periods. It offers a panoramic view of the town and the Belize River Valley below. After lunch, visit the Mountain Pine Ridge National Park area, where an impressive 1,000 ft waterfall cascades from the mountainside - a breathtaking panoramic view. You also visit the Rio Frio Cave, a giant chamber with a large vine-covered entrance, and of course, stalactites and stalagmites. From the cave, a short drive takes you to the Rio On pools, where you can have a refreshing swim. A series of cascades and pools romp down the rocky summit. The view from above is stunning!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a peaceful canoe trip this morning on the Macal River, where birds, reptiles, and mammals are abundant. Then visit the Belize Botanic Garden and learn why plants are beneficial to us all day , every day. Discover the medicinal plants that the Maya used so long ago. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Caracol is the largest Mayan site found in Belize and its surrounding primary forest ecosystem. It is an exciting site encompassing nine square miles, with a number of awe-inspiring temples and numerous stele. Enshrouded by macaw and tapir-filled forests, it is set in the heart of the Mayan "empire." A two-hour drive through rainforest and past the mountain pine ridge area brings you to the start of a 45-minute jungle trail walk. Arriving at Caracol, you’ll be led on a guided walking tour for a few hours. This site is renowned for the large masks found on the building structures and the giant date glyphs carved onto circular stone altars. Archaeologists think that Caracol possibly had over 100,000 inhabitants around the time of 300 AD. Excavations to date have revealed the towering temple of Caana (the Sky Palace), Belize's tallest manmade structure. The view from the top over the pristine jungle is breathtaking. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike a short distance through the jungle to the grand entrance of St Herman's Cave.  Located within St Herman's Blue Hole National Park, this cave is an admiration of stunning cave formations. Mayan artifacts such as pottery, torches and spears have also been found here.  Clamber over rocks and splash through water as you explore the amazing sites.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A two-hour drive over the border into Guatemala brings you to Tikal National Park. Surrounded by pristine rainforest, the lodge is located only one kilometer from the central plaza of Tikal. The lodge includes a thatched roof building with a bar and restaurant for candlelight dinners, a pool to relax in, and comfortable accommodations with private bathrooms. At night electricity is limited, but you’ll be surrounded by the enchanting rainforest sounds of howler monkeys, crickets, and parrots. Overnight at the Jungle Lodge for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a tasty Guatemalan breakfast this morning, you will have a guided group tour of the world’s famous Mayan archaeological site, Tikal. Lush rainforest covers most of this complex ancient city, with paths winding among still uncovered temples and pyramids. The most prominent of Tikal’s buildings are the large step pyramids topped by temples, some of which you can climb to the top for spectacular views. Lunch will be in the park. The afternoon you will be transferred back to the Cayo District for your overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you’ll explore deeper into the Belizean scenery to the river and cave entrance at Barton Creek. Here you’ll board an open canoe for an amazing cave adventure. Your guide skillfully steers the canoe along the creek and through the cave so you can enjoy the beautiful cave formations and see remains from ancient Mayan rituals – all the time being careful not to touch or damage any of the fragile formations. Then, transfer back to the lodge for a hearty dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will be transferred to Belize City Airport for your international flight out.

Meals: Breakfast